First steps to dental school approved

Friday, Sept. 10, 1999 | 10:34 a.m.

RENO -- University Regents today approved the first steps of a financial plan to start a dental school at UNLV in August 2001.

The regents ignored the objections of state dental regulators and accepted the recommendation of UNLV President Carol Harter.

Regent Doug Hill of Reno said the board needs to give this school "every opportunity" to succeed.

By hiring dentists and setting up clinics in Las Vegas, Harter estimates she can raise more than $5 million a year to finance the school, which was approved by the 1999 Legislature but did not give it any money to hire staff and open.

The plan calls for UNLV to buy out the dentistry practice of Dr. Jim L. Bryan and rent his offices and building at 864 E. Sahara Ave. and then hire Bryan for $102,000 a year to supervise two other dentists, who would be paid $90,000 each.

Harter said UNLV will also sign a contract to treat 3,000 Culinary Union members and their families in Las Vegas. The welfare-pension funds of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union would pay a set amount for each member per month to cover the dental treatment starting in January.

The Bryan office plus the Claude Howard clinic on the campus of the Community College of Southern Nevada and a dental residency program would treat these patients. In addition, Harter wants to eventually contract with the state to provide dental care for Medicaid patients.

And other clinics would be opened where dental faculty of the school and interns would work in the future.

She estimated there could be $11.5 million in revenues in 2001, with half of that going to start the dental school and keep tuition low.

The objections were raised by the Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners, which said it favored the start of a dental school but is worried about details that would permit dentists and interns with limited licenses to have a private practice.

John Hunt, attorney for the dental examiners, told the regents the 1999 Legislature amended the law to allow limited licenses in order to recruit dental interns, dental residents and instructors for the faculty. They would not have to pass the required examination to gain the limited permit.

But the law, Hunt said, would not allow them to enter into private practice, such as treating union patients. He said the limited license could be revoked if they engaged in private practice.

Harter told the regents she has a legal opinion that contradicts Hunt. She called his interpretation of the law "inaccurate," saying those with limited licenses would be paid by the university dental school and not be engaged in private practice.

Sen. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, who pushed through the bill authorizing the start of the dental school, said the issue of licensing was raised by some because of the fear of competition.

"We are not interested in getting in a wholesale way to compete with private dentists," he said. "This particular mode is not a threat. But they (private dentists) fear the camel's nose under the tent."

He added, "We (the dental school) can't be in an adversarial role" with private dentists.